Burping in mass

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Get someone in the choir to do some lovely embroidery on the corners of some handkerchiefs. A folded handkerchief over the mouth can make a world of difference when one needs to belch.

In college, my friends called me “woman of the rippling gullet” – but I’ve learned the triggers and learned to control it over the decades since. 😊
 
…Actually… The diaphragm is always used in all kinds of breathing. Breathing can’t happen without it. The throat is always used in all kinds of singing. Singing can’t happen without it. If you mean to write about singing with properly balanced air pressure, which resides primarily lower in the abdomen; as opposed to an air pressure balanced too high, which forces one to use the larynx to hold back the air… then yes.

There’s no such thing as singing from the diaphragm. It’s an imprecise explanation that often causes more problems than it solves. Since you know quite a bit about singing, you know better than the vocabulary you used. Please don’t correct others unless you’re going to do it correctly.
 
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 Did anyone, in Christian love, approach her and ask? Out of true concern for her, Ask what’s wrong? What did the doctor say? Has anything helped.? How uncomfortable it must be for you. 
  From this visit, you’ll know which way to go.
I’m old. I have fibromyalgia and depression. Going to choir is very important. I had pneumonia this year. I had to miss most of the year. I’m sure, the choir did great!!
In Christ’s Love
Tweedlealice

She may be swallowing a lot of air when singing. Burps when not singing. If she tries to hold long notes, which would have her gulping air, tell her to sing and breathe as she needs. I have to sneak in small breaths. Why some composers think, a human can hit a high B, or hold 3 measures of breath, is beyond me…,
 
Hi, what’s w the small type that doesn’t stay in margins.???
 
MrsAngelala said:
…Actually… The diaphragm is always used in all kinds of breathing. Breathing can’t happen without it. The throat is always used in all kinds of singing. Singing can’t happen without it. If you mean to write about singing with properly balanced air pressure, which resides primarily lower in the abdomen; as opposed to an air pressure balanced too high, which forces one to use the larynx to hold back the air… then yes.

There’s no such thing as singing from the diaphragm. It’s an imprecise explanation that often causes more problems than it solves. Since you know quite a bit about singing, you know better than the vocabulary you used. Please don’t correct others unless you’re going to do it correctly.
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I have a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice. We always spoke of singing from the diaphragm… except when we spoke of singing from our toes, or from the tops of our heads, and we were to never sing from our throats. 😱

Point is, because the mechanics of singing take place within the body and deal with both voluntary and involuntary systems (as opposed to playing a violin, or a piano, or percussion), “imprecise” language is used to help create the proper mechanics of singing.

When I was in college, all voice majors were required to take a class on the anatomy and physiology of the singing voice. We could label every anatomical part of the larynx and any other part of the body used in singing. We could describe in accurate biological terms how to produce sound, vowels, consonants, vocal styles, etc.

But we still spoke of “singing from the diaphragm” – it was perfectly acceptable “code” among the voice majors.

Seriously, though, this has nothing to do with a choir member burping through the mass near live mics.
 
SacredHeartBassist said:
. It’s such a bad problem that other choir members are complaining about it, people stare at us when she sings with us, and she even burps during really quiet parts of mass like the consecration
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I mean, is it so loud that it’s a real disturbance? Is it not only the choir who hears her but the congregation? Sounds like she might have a medical issue that needs attention.
 
I have studied vocal pedagogy at the Master’s level. Imprecise language to help create the proper mechanics can be helpful. Imprecise language used to publicly correct a person who is clearly not looking for help with the act of singing and is not involved in that particular field of study is inappropriate.

The poster to which Pup7 replied had demonstrated she did not know the “code.” You don’t use a code someone clearly doesn’t understand in order to correct their misunderstanding of that code. Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be, but it looked an awful lot more like showing off than being helpful or kind. And it certainly does not have anything to do with burping in front of a mic.
 
Obviously this poor woman is doing her best to serve the Church. Perhaps, even in her own mind, she might be considering retiring from service - God only knows, it’s been her whole life’s service to God.

As someone in charge of music at my own parish, I understand what you’re going through. We had a gentleman in our choir with COPD. Eventually, he had to make use of an oxygen tank. I allowed him to carry on. I didn’t see it as an interruption. He couldn’t sing well at this point, but he blended with the tenors. Eventually he came to me and said “Is it alright with you if I retire from the choir? I can no longer sing to expectation.”

I was broken-hearted. I told him that, with someone in such a state, I had no expectation for him to be perfect. The priest thanked him for his service, and we agreed in fulness of love to tell him that if he ever felt strong enough to just don his cassock and surplice, and join us on Sunday. I had to give him a hug, and I accepted his resignation. A couple of times, he did join us, and goodness, was I happy to see him! To see this devotion to singing during the liturgy, to see this love of God and His Church. Touching.

OP, you could talk to this belching lady. But speak to her in a caring way, an interested way. Ask her how she’s doing, joke with her, tell her something that will make you and her laugh. Then, ask how her health is. Say you noticed that her demeanour was a bit off, or the spark in her eye was lost amongst the stars. Tell her how much you appreciate her singing, but you’re worried about her health, reputation, and that you don’t want her to suffer nor feel obligated to do something she doesn’t need to do anymore. Ask if she wants to leave the choir, and if she doesn’t, then tell her you will do everything to make sure she is appreciated by the rest of the choir and congregation.

Love goes a long way. However, so does discipline for the sake of beauty.
 
I used to sing in the choir before my Church closed… I took a few voice lessons too. I could’ve been great! Now, I’m just a janitor… 😞 Nevertheless, a janitor that can sing and do accurate Pokemon voices!
 
There are many interesting Janitors in this world. I am friends with one who has done some amazing things. He gives great advice. He also does a lot of charity work.

He makes the world a better place, and I am proud to call him my friend.
 
Cruciferi said:
I used to sing in the choir before my Church closed… I took a few voice lessons too. I could’ve been great! Now, I’m just a janitor… 😞 Nevertheless, a janitor that can sing and do accurate Pokemon voices!
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Yooooooou teach meeeeeeee, andddddd I’ll teach youuuuuuu
 
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Pup7 said:
I am often that person in the room who has been there and done that. I have the attention span of a flea, have been a voracious reader my whole life, and was both blessed and cursed with a near photographic memory. All of this helps me and also gets me into hot water.
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Wait a minute, which one of us wrote that 🤣😆:crazy_face:

hawk
 
I emailed the composer and we chatted a bit. He’s really nice and plays the Organ at his Church ⛪
 
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